Content warning: this article contains references to sexual assault.
Criminal Conviction for PhD student
28-year-old Zhenhao Zou, a PhD student at University College London (UCL) was found guilty of eleven counts of rape on Wednesday 5 March.
The PhD student filmed multiple of these assaults and kept many of the victim’s belongings in a “trophy box“.
The President and Provost of UCL said in an official statement: “We have been appalled by these horrific offences. Our thoughts are with the survivors and we wish to pay tribute to the bravery of the women who reported these crimes and gave evidence at the trial”.
He continued by stressing the immense impact of sexual offences on “victims, their families and wider communities”.
Zou will be sentenced on 19 June. Judge Rosina Cottage, who presided on his case, said his sentence would be “very long” and described him as “dangerous and predatory”.
“Academic Vandalism”
Edinburgh University has announced drastic plans to reduce spending by £140 million in spending cuts to “tackle severe financial difficulties”.
The reduction in their income has been partially blamed on the decreasing number of international students coming to the UK, and the subsequent fall in international student numbers at Edinburgh University.
This echoes growing concerns over the reliance of UK universities on the higher fees of international students.
Jo Grady, the General Secretary of the UCU, called the University out for the spending cuts, arguing that they should instead look into dipping into their estimated £3 billion worth of assets, rather than resorting to cutting jobs.
Concerning practices and misconduct
Following a report in the Manchester Mill, the University of Greater Manchester, previously known as the University of Bolton, is being investigated by the police following allegations of “racism, financial misconduct and bullying”.
Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, reported in the House of Commons that “the Office for Students is looking into those serious allegations and engaging with the provider, and that the police are involved as well”.
Following initial investigations by Manchester Mill reporter Mollie Simpson, George Holmes, Vice-Chancellor of the University classed her as a “sensationalist journalist” and dismissed the investigation “as the efforts of an “irrelevant newspaper”.
Labour MP for Bolton West, Phil Brickell said that the Manchester Mill’s reports have led to further whistleblowers coming forward with allegations regarding concerning practices taking place at the University.
As of now, investigations are still underway at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), who have been commissioned by the University, as well as an external joint-investigation by the Office for Students and the police.
